White Mulberry
Morus alba · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Moraceae
Tree Category
Shade tree, fruit tree, ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Standard wild type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8, highly adaptable to a wide range of temperatures and soil types
About This Tree
Fast-growing medium-sized tree with a rounded, spreading crown, often featuring multiple trunks and orange-brown bark, known for producing sweet blackberry-like aggregate fruits.
Leaf Characteristics
Alternate, simple leaves variable in shape from unlobed oval to deeply lobed (mitten-shaped), 2-7 inches long, serrated margins, bright green turning pale yellow in autumn
Bark Characteristics
Orange-brown to grayish-brown, smooth when young, developing distinct longitudinal ridges and furrows with scaly ridges as it ages
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to northern China, widely naturalized across North America and Europe
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, flowers in late spring, fruits in early to mid-summer, enters dormancy in late autumn
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade; requires moderate watering when young but displays good drought tolerance once established
Mature Size
Reaches a height of 30 to 50 feet with a comparable spread, fast growth rate, and a moderate lifespan of 50 to 100 years
Special Characteristics
High tolerance for urban pollution, poor soil, and pruning; produces edible sweet fruits heavily favored by wildlife
Wildlife & Ecology
Fruits heavily attract a wide variety of birds and mammals; foliage serves as the primary exclusive food source for silkworms